20 Things we love about Caleb

(in no particular order)


20. when you take daddy bug hunting!


19. Your willingness to help!




18. The way you play "hide n seek"


17. Your Love for your Family..even if sometimes you are not sure how to show it!





16. How much you love to wrestle with daddy




15. Your "kung Foo" moves

14. This new imagination where you like to pretend to be Spiderman or Batman

13. Your routine prayer " Dear God Sank you for this day, tank you mommy, daddy, Jack, tank you food, jesus love me, in Jesus name AMEN!"

12. How when we ask you something your response is always "SURE!" or "OF COURSE!"

11. How quickly your forgive

10." Hey mommy, hey daddy watch this watch this!"
9. The way your care whether mommies hair is "up" or "down"

8. The way you study everything you play with



7. How you always want to be naked!



6. Your unique personality and quiet spirit




5. The way you "Shake it"

4. How you always need to know the plan..."what are we gonna do next?"

3. When you tell us Jackson is your best friend






2. The genuinely deep conversations your have with your daddy


1. Your Eyes and that Smile








Caleb these past four years have been the best four years of our lives. You have brought us more joy, laughter, silliness, cuddling, sweetness, and beauty then we ever thought we could be blessed with. You are a true gift and we look forward to watching the Father mold and shape you into a man of integrity, honesty, purity and passion for your God!

We love you!
HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!!

OUR "D" DAY HAS COME!

John and I are pleased to announce that as of two days ago we are officially free of ALL Credit Card Debt! PRAISE GOD! We share this on here only to Praise the One who redeems. We have made many mistakes and God has shown us over and over that He forgives, provides and frees us of all bondage. This journey was VERY LONG. But like a Father He disciplines those He loves and doesn't swoop in and take care of the problem quickly. He allowed us to suffer, work hard and learn discipline and self control. We cant even take the credit for working ourselves out of it. He took our income, our home and 2 years to show us that HE WOULD GET US OUT OF IT! Not by our own works lest we should boast!

My prayer is that as we are in a new chapter, we may begin to enjoy the financial freedom of not "owing the man", well except for our nasty car payments! BOO! That's our next goal:)
But the freedom to give more, go when He calls, and maybe save something!
Thanks to all our friends and family who have given us all kinds of wisdom, hope, prayers, help and encouragement as we struggled through this.
I cannot tell you how many 1st's and 15th's went by with tears and despair wondering if we would ever get out of this! GOD IS GOOD! And we are eternally grateful for His love for us!

Vegas!

We are back! The family and I left last Sunday for my parents house to drop the boys off for the week while John and I went to Vegas for a convention called "Surfaces". Its a carpet, hardwood, rugs, tools etc... All expense paid trip for his full time job at Chisums Floor Covering! THANK YOU TIM AND DEBBIE!! YOU ARE THE BEST!

I actually had a pretty good time at the convention and we brought back a ton of SWAG for the boys:)

The boys had an amazing week with Auntie Cay, Cracker Nessa, and Grandpa. It was good practice for April when John and I go to Uganda. They had so much fun that they didnt want to come home! Which didnt hurt my feelings one bit, I was just so relieved that they had such a blast! THANKS AGAIN!!
John and I had the Best week ever! Our trip was so fun together. We just had an awesome time reconnecting and feeling like a couple again. I guess you dont realize how much little ones preoccupy your life. It just felt good to be human for a week and just focus on eachother. We also had a blast with our friends the Clarks and the Kresges (johns bosses).



We have amazing friends in Vegas who were able to find us tickets to "La Reve" this beautiful show that is performed in water. So we went to the 9:30pm showing of that the first night!





The second night John and I got dressed up and headed over to Paris to have a VERY FANCY dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Our dinner overlooked the Belagio where they perform water shows every 15 mintues. So fun!





Then those same friends got all of us front row seats to "Blue Man Group". AMAZING! Such a fun show. I left my camera that night but got a poster pic of them:)

Wednesday night Tim and Debbie got us all front row seats to "Tournament of Kings" (medieval times). That was super fun! We made some funny memories that night:) BOO FRANCE!


dont worry its coke!

We spent all day thursday site seeing, taking pics of Pete Rose, eating AMAZING food, and picking up FREE CORK (thanks john and tim for carrying it)! For those of you who dont know I have been wanting a wall of cork for my new house for a VERY LONG TIME, but its expensive! Well I was able to talk a lady at the convention to just give it to me and well BOOYAH! YAY my dream just may come true.





Thursday night we went to our generous friends the Ramonettes and hung out with their beautiful family! SO FUN! Then off to Fremont street, the shop where they film "Pawn Stars", and to a new place called ARIA! Gorgeous!

oh blog....

So much to say and so little time right now! But I will leave you with a few highlights:)

We have made some new friends on the street! There are 4 boys on this street that are Caleb and Jackson age PRAISE GOD! So we have already had a couple playdates with one of them:) Looking forward to more play fun!


Made cookies for our neighbors and walked around to meet them all. God truly blessed that time. We enjoyed it so much that because we ran out of cookies we made more the next day to meet more of them! We are so excited to have a home to minister in. To bring our neighbors in and to live life together. We hope and pray God gives us many opportunities to love on them:)

Caleb got a new bike as an early Birthday gift from Grammie and Papa so daddy and him took it for a spin. Still getting the hang of it, but its fun to have a sidewalk to practice on.



Jackson has been wearing funny things on his feet...he decided to try on mommies heels, actually he has done this more than once but I finally got it on camera!


Couple of mornings ago I got jack up to find daddy had put mittens on his feet! Daddy said, he was putting their pjs on and grabbed the mittens by mistake but by the time he realized it he had already sat down and decided "Well...Im sure they'll fit just like socks ..." sure enough!

We've taken some naps

had some friends come over to play!

celebrated a birthday



Its been a crazy January to say the least but we look forward to all God has for us this next year. I will do my best to update the blog as much as possible but it seems getting on the computer is kind of the last thing I think of doing....so much to work to be done at home!
Caleb and Jack will be spending this next week with cracker nessa, grandpa, and auntie cay while mommy and daddy go to Vegas for a work convention. This wil be good practice for our April trip to Uganda. A week is along time to be away from my boys so we'll see how I handle it!
Pics of the house will come soon enough and a HOUSE WARMING PARTY is in the plans!
Here are a few sneak peaks of the place:)






Is the anticipation killing you?? ha!

moving week ....

Honestly it is all such a blur that I cant go back day by day!
This week was difficult. I received a head cold while Caleb continued to throw up every night. We finally took him to the doctor on thursday and tried to figure out the problem. We had lots of help from friends and family. Tried to stay dry as best we could. Packed, unpacked things I havent seen in two years, deciding what to keep, get rid of, what to toss. Set up the boys room, set up the kitchen, rearrange the living room at least 7 times, unpack, repack etc.. To this day we are still bring stuff in and trying to live amidst the insanity. I will be honest I have had a difficult time this last week. Not feeling comfortable, not sleeping and when we were, there was a third or fourth person in the bed, trying to rest when all I can think about is all I have to do, trying to spend quality time with the boys when all I want to do is clean up, laying down for bed wondering when caleb was gonna get up and be sick again, trying to stay warm in a house with weird heaters, the list goes on:) God has shown me my many weaknesses, and natural sin tendencies...I am grateful for that. That is when I get to recognize it, pray over it and fight it!
My hope is that this next week the Lord will bring the sunshine in and that I will begin to enjoy the process that I have been praying about for about two years!
That I will not allow myself to get overwhelmed or feel like it all has to get done today! But take it day by day and enjoy the moment!

Shout Out!

Just wanted to make sure I thanked everyone who helped out these last few weeks! First Dad...you have been such a blessing these last few days we could not have done this move as smoothly without you! Scott and Susan thanks for helping despite the fact that you yourselves are packing and sorting! We love you and will miss you tons! Shannon! Oh Shannon you have got me thru this last week...I have been so unmotivated and uninspired but your excitement and enthusiasm along with awesome organizational skills has helped out so much! Corban and Kelly thanks for coming all the way from LA to help. You made that day so much more fun and productive!!! Jenny and Jake thanks for all your help packing us up and moving us over:) you are such great friends! Tara thanks for helping me organize and set up for our garage sale! It was so fun hanging out! Donna....you blessed Susan and I more than you will ever know! Thanks for being such a faithful friend and such a huge part of our family:) Chad, Rick, Zach, Phillipe...John could not have made that storage move without you thanks for all your help in the downpour and lightning...praise God none of your were electrocuted in that metal bin:) Christie thanks for taking the boys and making us bread and dinner. You are such an amazing new friend! Nikki thanks for watching our little ones, they love it over there and cant wait to hang out again! John, you have no idea how grateful I am for you! You have been my rock and shoulder this last week and I thank God for giving me such a thoughtful, giving, patient and quiet spirited man. I love you! Caleb and Jack I am so sorry this week was so hard on you! I know moving is never easy and that you both felt the stress thru it all. Thank you for being such wonderfully happy lil ones despite the chaos. Thanks for enjoying and getting excited about our new home when mommy is not. You 3 men make this house my home:)
THANKS to all of you who prayed, texted, called and emailed us this last week. I needed every little bit of encouragement as I felt isolated and overwhelmed.
Hopefully pics will come soon but we wont be getting internet till wednesday so you'll all have to wait just a little bit longer!
Everyone else, thank you for all your prayers
Lord, I praise you for your goodness, faithfulness, patience and gentleness with me. This week was difficult but you are are constant. Please continue to help me thru this transition and see beauty amidst the chaos:)

Moving Week!

Monday DAY ONE!:

12:00AM - Jack wakes up crying, mommy checks - Dirty Diaper

12:01AM - Caleb begins crying,Mommy changes jacks diaper,daddy comes in to check on things

12:02AM - Caleb Vomits EVERYWHERE,mommy still changing jacks dirty diaper

12:05AM - Daddy begins undressing caleb and begins his bath!

12:10AM - Jack snuggles with cracker nessa and auntie cay in bed while mommy and daddy give caleb a bath, clean sheets, clorox and lysol the room, open the window!

12:15AM - (sorry men) Mommy starts her girlie troubles! ARE YOU KIDDIN ME???
* sidenote we are all camped out on the living room floor cause we have company

2:00AM - Boys finally fall asleep

3:30AM - Caleb wakes up and throws up again

7:00AM - Everyone is up, family leaves, daddy goes off to work

7AM - 1PM - Packing, sorting, found a elecrtic dryer on craigslist, Calling Edison, water, trash, Gas Co., feeling gross, NO NAP FOR MOMMA!

2PM - John picks up keys, finds new and unattractive carpet in the house, Mommy bummed!
(I am very vane but Im working on it! Gods teaching me how to be content with what I am given)

3PM - Find out our friend broke his leg, super bummed, also sad cause he was gonna help us move:( Hope you feel better soon Don

4:30PM - Clouds clear (thank you Jesus) John and Dad move a ton of stuff to the house!

8PM - Bedtime, Jack Pukes!!!

8:10PM - Bath, clean sheets, clorox the bed!

9:30PM - Mom curls up in bed, watches Lost and sleeps ALL NIGHT! THANK YOU LORD!

Tuesday DAY 2:
7:00AM - No rain, momma starts packing up the bronco

8:00AM - Make 2 trips with Scott to the new house!

9:30AM - DOWN POUR, Miss shannon comes to play and help! Pack & sort

11:00AM - Lunch, and packing up Bronco

12:40PM - run a load to the house, met 2 new neighbors:)

1:00PM - 3:00pm light drizzle, Jake and Jenny come to help:) Take a couple trips to the house! Johns parents home is almost empty!

4:45PM - Clear skies, John is picking up fridge, coming back to get our mattresses and the rest of our furniture:)

TONIGHT IS OUR FIRST NIGHT IN OUR NEW HOME!
Lord thank you for your provision, for the very many breaks in this storm and for the boys getting so excited about this new journey! May the boys sleep soundly in their new room!

TO BE CONTINUED.........

TESTIFY!!

"Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes make our efforts successful!" Psalm 90:16-17

These last few weeks are beginning to become such a blur of change, renewal, hope, blessings, and an unbelievable gift of Grace that I need to write it all down before we forget anything:) (Footnote: this is crazy long but God has done a lot!! I didn't want to leave anything out)

Two years ago this month John and I stepped out of our comfort zone and stepped in to blind obedience. We had accumulated quite a bit of debt from school, medical, and down right stupid credit card spending. We had been struggling to work thru it on our own for some time but realized if we truly wanted to be free, we needed to take drastic steps. We decided it was time to commit a year of our lives to becoming financially free! It was a difficult decision, there was embarrassment, shame, guilt, feeling like we really messed up. Feeling judged and criticised for making poor choices and now having to ask for help to get out of it. But we prayed about it, humbled ourselves and moved in with John's parents January 2008. With John's income we planned on being debt free by the end of the year. God had other plans.
Two months into it God began to work on John's heart and by July 2008, John resigned from his full time position at our church with nothing lined up. He knew it was the right thing and he knew the Lord would care for us. His heart and passion was music and teaching and no longer youth. One month later the economy went down hill and it was almost impossible to snag an interview anywhere. With 6 months of unemployment we knew getting out of John's parent's house was not going to happen on our time clock.
John soon after received full time work with our dear friends at Chisum's Floor Covering. We praise God for them and we were just so thankful to have medical insurance again!!
Thru it all we somehow never missed a bill, we weren't able to pay anything down but we could still make minimum payments, PRAISE GOD!
By the summer of 2009 God began to tug on John's heart again about music and teaching. We knew if we ever wanted to move out we would need to find a part time job and with John's heart for music and ministry we began looking for churches. He decided if he was going to take anymore time away from his family, he wanted it to be something he loved, was passionate about and that we could all be a part of! He began throwing emails out to churches all over but felt led to email a local pastor up here in Ojai, for no other reason other than he had heard that this pastor was doing good things there and that God was doing a mighty work. He thought it couldn't hurt to see if they have any needs.
the pastor immediately responded back and basically said " he had begun praying for a music pastor not more then 7 days ago!!" They began meeting and talking and John fell in love.
There was a connection quickly. Their heart for ministry was the same, their idea of worship, their hope for this valley. You could say it was a match made in heaven.
Well, months went by where God used us thru some difficult trials we most certainly were not expecting but for some reason he chose us. Soon after, John's parents also felt that God was calling them back to Mississippi and that they would be leaving Ojai very soon!
The unknown of having no income, not quite debt free and then needing to move out was all too overwhelming! Thru it all John was confident God was going to move, I was not so sure! John reconnected with Pastor Chad who basically was waiting for John's call for the last couple of months. They met, John led worship, we met the deacons, the church voted a worship pastor into the budget and it was all said and done, all in about a month. The quickest we've seen God move in a while!!
Knowing we'd have extra money to begin to look for a place was exciting, but our budget was not so. We prayed about our spirit's desires to minister to our neighbors, live simply, practically, close to where our church is planted and is ministering, with no financial strain, to spend less and give more! But my heart's desires were a little bit different. Two years of dreaming of this new home weighed heavy on my mind. Finding a place where the boys could play in a yard, having storage, some place bright with unique features like 1920's crown moldings or a bay window! Something one of a kind!
Well as we prayed and began searching we found lots of places but nothing that seemed to fit our family or our budget. We applied for a place we had not seen yet but that would be available in January.
We were approved and we were able to go in and take a look. Did I walk in and fall in love.....no. Did I get excited looking around ....no. Did I have a peace one way or another walking away....no. The house at a glance is "BLAH" nothing special, nothing unique, no AC, no utilities covered, weeds in both front and backyards!
My heart was torn walking away. I wanted a definitive answer, peace, excited one way or another. I didn't have it.
But after much prayer all afternoon and a date night with John where we discussed pros and cons, heart and spirit...we decided we would make it the right place.
We would bring beauty to an otherwise average duplex. I pulled out my decorating mags, searched the internet and within a couple of hours ....I was excited!! I cannot wait to get in there and make that "blah" place into a "TADA"!
Friday we put the deposit down but my prayer has still continued "Lord, we have been faithful, we tried so hard to get out of debt for TWO YEARS God. I know we werent perfect but we've tried and we are about to walk into this new place without fulfilling our goal? why?"
Let's just say that night God answered! God willing by the end of this month we will officially be debt free, in our new home, and making the same amount of income we started with January 2008! Our God is faithful, Our God is Good, Our God is Holy, Our God...HE IS GOOD!
"Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes make our efforts successful!" Psalm 90:16-17

New Beginnings!

we attended our first sunday at our new church up here in Ojai, First Baptist Ojai. The boys were excited, they have already named it. Our church in ventura was the "Song" church because thats what he would do before going to class. Johns fathers church is the "food" church because we go up there every wednesday for dinner:)
This church has an amazing property with a softball field, rose garden and a very large playground area. So what better to call it then the "Park" church!

Attending that first service is always awkward (when you are in ministry), eyes are all on you, your the newbie and you have impressions to make but John and I are usually pretty good about being real, available and open! They called us up and prayed over us which was very sweet. They prayed for our family, for our ministry as well as a new home for our family (a much needed prayer). The message was amazing, convicting, powerful and really fun! I love the way pastor Chad speaks to his congregation...He ask questions and has the congregation respond which is so unique with a church that size but it was really fun to listen in and hear the church respond! It is also beautiful to see such a wide variety of ages(just like our CBC)! We am comforted by a healthy congregation where there is not just one kind of demographic. I am looking forward to meeting our new grandparents, mentors and someone to reteach me to knit. haha

John of course did fabulous but more importantly there is such an overwhelming sense of Gods presence there. We of course felt it at our previous church but it is so comforting to walk in and just know that God is moving and doing Big things!
Leaving we were able to meet a few more people and were even able to go to lunch with a family that I know we'll be hangin out with more.

We are just so grateful for God's direction. We would never have chosen to stay in Ojai this long. It was always our plan to move out of state but God's plans prevail! We are grateful for overwhelming confirmations and peace we cannot understand! We look forward to what God has in these next few weeks as we look for our new home in Ojai:)

To My Sons...

There's a big bowl of Christmas candy on the counter top in the kitchen. Both of you have been asking throughout the day to have a little piece here and there. Before putting you down for bed tonight, I let you each have a little piece and told you both that that was the last of it for today, and you were not to have any more. Two minutes later, as I'm walking out of the bathroom, I almost ran into you, Caleb, as you're carrying your favorite step stool.
"Where are you going with that step stool, buddy?"
"I'm going to see the bowl of candy."
"But I told you that we're all done with the candy tonight, no more."
You respond shyly, "I'm not going to eat it, just look at it..."
And so here we are...like father, like son. I've told people before about how I cried the day that Cristin first told me that she was pregnant. And it wasn't tears of joy, more fear. I was scared to death...not in the sense that I wouldn't be able to provide or give you what you needed. No, I trust God to take care of our needs. I was terrified of having a boy, a son, someone to take on my image and potentially fall in all the same pits and habitual ruts. I was terrified of creating a little version of me. Ben Folds says it best in his song 'Still Fighting It', written to his little boy: "and you're so much like me / I'm sorry".
I'm reminded today that there is no promise of greatness in and of ourselves. There is nothing to say that I won't be a complete and utter failure as a husband and father. And the same can be said for both of you. I can't promise you that you'll be successful. I'm sorry. I wish that were different. I wish I could promise that you'll be great husbands and fathers and men. But there's no magic pill you can swallow to make you more sacrificial. There's no three-step plan to perfect manhood. And there's no silver bullet for the monster that resides in all of us. I've learned that there are two basic types of men in this world...and forgive the gross oversimplification here: Listening learners and Experiential learners.
Listening learners, I've always admired. They're the men who only need to be told what is right and what is wrong. They're the men who see the downfall of others and take extensive mental notes on 'what not to do'. They're the men who understand that nobody is immune to failure and the monster that resides within themselves. They're the men who understand that the most valuable things in their lives, are often only one compromise away from being stripped from their hands.
Experiential learners...these men see the downfall of others, but think the consequences will be different for them. These men don't take anyone's word for face value, and while this can be a good trait in moderation, they fail to see the physical proof that is right in front of them. They think they are bigger, stronger, more capable than they actually are. As dishonest as they are with others, they are moreso with themselves. They live life in this mode of expectation that all will end up okay in the end. But there is no promise of that.
You see, I'm not crazy for being so struck by something as simple and mundane as getting a step-stool to "look" at a bowl of sweet sweet candy. Because I understand all too well the mentality of an experiential learner. I know what happens when you look. Looking turns to wanting. Wanting turns to longing. Longing turns to crisis. And crisis usually turns to taking. "...but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:14-15
I wish with all my heart that there was something I could do to ensure your greatness as husbands, fathers and men, but there's not. I'm not even sure how much I understand or grasp most of the time. I wish with all my heart that there were some magic words that would cut straight to your hearts and stick with you for life...but there's not. In the end, at some point, you will be released to make your own decisions. Hear me now...be quick to listen. Your greatness as husbands, fathers and men will only come about by the choices and decisions, however large or small, that you choose to make. That is the difference between a successful life and a wasted life.
Life is a tightrope. Keep your eyes on the end and your feet on the path. Don't look to the left or to the right...there's nothing for you there except empty space and destruction. Don't make the same mistakes I've made. You're not immune...the same consequences that have followed my decisions will follow you as well, should you choose to make the same. And recognize now...there is a monster inside of you. Feed him, and he'll grow bigger than you and stronger than you. Starve him, and he'll weaken. Introduce him to the Savior, and he'll surely die...one day. Until that day...listen. Listen to the Savior's voice. Heed His instruction. Open yourself to His work in you. And for God's sake, don't deceive yourselves with actions so simple-minded as "looking"...because it leads to death. I love you both with all my heart.

Daddy

I waited.....

....patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

We are in a crazy time of waiting in the midst of transition...saying goodbye to family and friends at Community Bible Church last Sunday , which was so much harder than I expected! And beginning new relationships at First Baptist here in Ojai, where John will be leading worship. An exciting transition to watch my husband pursue a ministry that he is so passionate and gifted in! We have had so much confirmtation that this is exactly where God has us, that there is no denying we are meant to be here at this moment for such a time as this. He is excited to step into a ministry that he has a true heart and passion for and God has begun to give us a heart and love for the city of Ojai that we have never had before. We long to see revival in this Valley. And we pray God might use us to be a small of part of it:) And we wait to see all that God has for us there!

Johns parents will be moving to Mississippi end of next month so we are looking for our new home here in Ojai. A place that is perfect for our family, a place for ministry, a place where we can live simply, where we wont live in financial strain and can give more freely! We have been praying for this new place for a while and we wait with great expectations on our God. That wherever he leads us will be exactly where we need to be. We have prayed a few specifics but again we know that God knows best!

As this is our online journal for the boys we hope this can be something they can look back on and witness all that God has planned for our family. To look back and see where we have been these last few years, where we came from and where we are headed.
We wait eagerly on all God has instore for us as well as your families in 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Love - The Harrell Family